Donald Trump is said to have met with Tillerson this morning for the second time this week

A transition official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Tillerson, 64, had moved ahead of 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in Trump's deliberations.

And the pair’s meeting today comes ahead of the President-elect’s decision to name the businessman as the country's top diplomat, NBC News reported today, citing two sources close to the transition team.

As Exxon's CEO, Tillerson oversees operations in more than 50 countries, including Russia.

In 2011, Exxon Mobil signed a deal with Rosneft – Russia's largest state-owned oil company – for joint oil exploration and production.

Since then, the companies have formed 10 joint ventures for projects in Russia.

The businessman is also reported to have close ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Related stories

VLAD'S MY BOY!

CIA claims Vladimir Putin's Russia DID interfere in US election to make sure Donald Trump won

YOU MUST BE JOCKING

Trump calls Nicola Sturgeon to discuss 'relationship' after Scots leader called him abhorrent

FROM WWE TO THE WHITE HOUSE

US President-elect Donald Trump names Linda McMahon head of his Small Business Administration

THE FIRST DOG OF AMERICA

Donald Trump ‘picks Goldendoodle as his White House pet...and he’s named it Patton

WAR OF WORDS

Chinese state media slams Trump as a 'diplomatic rookie' and says he must bow to Beijing